Title:
A Pilot Observer Program for the Reduction of Sea Turtle and
Other By-catch in Vietnamese Longline Fisheries
Author(s): Keith Symington, Thuy Nguyen Thi Dieu, Dung Phan Hung
Abstract:
Five species of marine turtles are found within the territorial waters of
Vietnam, and all populations are declining. As part of a broader
strategy and Action Plan, the Government of Vietnam and WWF
Vietnam have launched a two-year project to: 1) document relative
gear impacts, and geographic hotspots, for sea turtle interactions and,
2) design and implement a first-of-its-kind observer program for
Vietnamese fisheries. This presentation will describe the major results
of the first component, providing data on the characteristics and extent
of sea turtle interactions with key Vietnamese fisheries through initial
research and community interviews. Comprehensive data pertinent to
the fishery hotspots in Vietnam will be provided. Together with data on
sea turtle catch, fleet size, trends, seasons, timing, mesh size etc., this
information has informed major recommendations on the design and
structure of an observer program, which will also be described. While
some information gaps still exist, the knowledge base has been
significantly expanded and this new information has ensured that bycatch reduction efforts - specifically the planned observer program and
subsequent gear experiments for long-line fisheries and a Management
Options Paper for gillnet fisheries - can be most strategically targeted
and planned. Additionally, the role of community participation,
capacity-building for local fisheries agencies, and overall stakeholder
perceptions and impressions will be reviewed. Finally, the concept of
how the sea turtle driver could result in broader applications for
observer programs for fisheries management in Vietnam, and how this
aligns WWF and government strategies for sustainable fisheries
management, will be discussed.